Tisdale School District # 916 - Tisdale Middle & Secondary School
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In the mid 1980s Tisdale School Division made a request for a new high school in Tisdale. It was not until late 1994 that Tisdale reached the top of the Saskatchewan Education Department priority list for new construction. The school division board was informed that as soon as money was available the project would begin. January 12, 1995 Sask Ed advised the School Division that approval would be coming in February or March, that the project had to be a joint use facility with at least the Regional College as a partner, and that a conceptual plan must be on file in their office by March 31st .
Tisdale School Division sent out invitations to potential partners stating: “We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a major new community and regional educational facility.” Almost immediately, on January 24th, the Cumberland Regional College committed to becoming a partner. February 3rd, after a week of interviewing and reference checking, the architectural firm was selected. A round of public consultations was held to help with the development of a common vision. Director of Education, Dwayne Brownridge, believed people made the difference and therefore the formation of the committees was important. He strategically placed people on committees. He involved students, staff, community representatives, and technical people in this planning phase.
The School Division Board decided to reduce the number of schools in Tisdale from four to two. They decided to house Grades 6 to 12 under one roof to allow many of the core facilities to be shared by the middle and secondary students. The Dag Hammarskjold school closed and the existing elementary school was renovated for the middle years students and the middle years school (CJHS) was renovated for the elementary students. These two major renovation projects were undertaken as the new school was being built.
Tisdale School Division sent out invitations to potential partners stating: “We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a major new community and regional educational facility.” Almost immediately, on January 24th, the Cumberland Regional College committed to becoming a partner. February 3rd, after a week of interviewing and reference checking, the architectural firm was selected. A round of public consultations was held to help with the development of a common vision. Director of Education, Dwayne Brownridge, believed people made the difference and therefore the formation of the committees was important. He strategically placed people on committees. He involved students, staff, community representatives, and technical people in this planning phase.
The School Division Board decided to reduce the number of schools in Tisdale from four to two. They decided to house Grades 6 to 12 under one roof to allow many of the core facilities to be shared by the middle and secondary students. The Dag Hammarskjold school closed and the existing elementary school was renovated for the middle years students and the middle years school (CJHS) was renovated for the elementary students. These two major renovation projects were undertaken as the new school was being built.
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The Tisdale School Division was fortunate to be able to build on a Joint Use Partnership that started in the 1970s when the Town of Tisdale and Tisdale School Division partnered to build a school and community complex. The RECplex grand opening was in 1982; the Tisdale School Division built an elementary school; the Town of Tisdale built a six sheet curling rink with a lounge, a 1400 seat hockey/skating arena, a 30-yard rifle/handgun/archery range, meeting rooms, and a concession capable of serving 500 meals. Together they built a school gymnasium which was also the town auditorium.
The new school was added onto this existing building. The Tisdale School Division, the Cumberland Regional College, the Town of Tisdale and the Pasquia Health District partnered to build a complex for Recreation, Education, Culture and Community Health. The School Division renovated the existing elementary school to house middle years students and added on a new high school and a day care space. The College added administration and adult education classrooms and jointly with the School Division an SCN room for receiving and transmitting educational programming, and the technology lab. The Town jointly with the School Division added on a performing arts theatre (which is the school’s music/dance/drama area) and renovated their Recreation Director's administration area and expanded the concession area. The School Division, College and Town all partnered in a community library and the commons area that connects the existing and new buildings. The Library combines the collections of the two school libraries (middle years and high school) and the Tisdale branch of the Wapiti Regional Library. The Health District added office and clinical space. In a later phase, the Town added an outdoor six lane pool adjacent to the building and the Kinsmen and Lions clubs added an outdoor rink. A Board of Control was established to make the policies and set the rental rate for the jointly owned areas.
In May 1995 the working drawings development began. The sod turning was held in May 1996 and Phase 1 construction started immediately. The Phase 2 tender was awarded in the fall of 1996. Tisdale Middle & Secondary School opened on schedule in late August 1997with an enrolment of 578 grade 6 to 12 students.
Fundraising commenced immediately for football and soccer fields to be called the “Dwayne Brownridge Memorial Fields”.
The new school was added onto this existing building. The Tisdale School Division, the Cumberland Regional College, the Town of Tisdale and the Pasquia Health District partnered to build a complex for Recreation, Education, Culture and Community Health. The School Division renovated the existing elementary school to house middle years students and added on a new high school and a day care space. The College added administration and adult education classrooms and jointly with the School Division an SCN room for receiving and transmitting educational programming, and the technology lab. The Town jointly with the School Division added on a performing arts theatre (which is the school’s music/dance/drama area) and renovated their Recreation Director's administration area and expanded the concession area. The School Division, College and Town all partnered in a community library and the commons area that connects the existing and new buildings. The Library combines the collections of the two school libraries (middle years and high school) and the Tisdale branch of the Wapiti Regional Library. The Health District added office and clinical space. In a later phase, the Town added an outdoor six lane pool adjacent to the building and the Kinsmen and Lions clubs added an outdoor rink. A Board of Control was established to make the policies and set the rental rate for the jointly owned areas.
In May 1995 the working drawings development began. The sod turning was held in May 1996 and Phase 1 construction started immediately. The Phase 2 tender was awarded in the fall of 1996. Tisdale Middle & Secondary School opened on schedule in late August 1997with an enrolment of 578 grade 6 to 12 students.
Fundraising commenced immediately for football and soccer fields to be called the “Dwayne Brownridge Memorial Fields”.
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Information from the Tisdale School Division Web Site
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